“I’m being serious.” She yanked on the strings of his hoodie again. “We talked about a lot of heavy stuff earlier. If you’re not ready for this…for any of this…that’s fine. I don’t want you to feel pressured.”
He grinned, melting her insides. “I don’t think I’ve ever been on this side of the I-don’t-want-to-pressure-you talk.”
“What can I tell you,” she said, shrugging. “I’m a modern woman.”
Snaking his hand around the back of her neck, he lowered his head so they were eye to eye. “I appreciate your concern, but I’m ready. Ready to move forward. Ready to try. Ready to toss your ass in this bed and finally show you how much you mean to me.”
She held her arms open. “Go for it.”
Chuckling, he hauled her into his arms then playfully threw her on the bed before lunging after her. Lying on her back, shepropped herself on her elbows, enjoying the view as he stalked forward like a panther about to devour his prey.
Hooking an arm around her waist, he shifted her to her side then lay in front of her so they were face-to-face. His fingers inched up her hip, creeping toward the knotted towel at her chest. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this.”
She swallowed hard, her body humming with anticipation. A part of her wanted to yank the towel off herself and get started, stripping him naked to see the hard, chiseled muscles she knew lay under his clothes.
The other part of her wanted to be cherished, to savor the moment and everything that came with it.
“You could have fooled me,” she said, her voice quivering.
He dipped the pad of his finger into the shallow dent of her cleavage, toying the with sensitive skin at the top of her breast. “Trust me, no more pretending. No more hiding.”
As if speaking about her, he flicked the knot apart and smoothed his hand down between her breasts.
Squirming, she wiggled the towel free and threw it on the floor. She didn’t want anything separating them—secrets, fears or clothes.
He stilled, his gaze flicking to her body for a few seconds before he tucked his head and captured one nipple between his teeth. His tongue took over, and the gentle movement of his mouth pushed her to lie on her back.
She gasped, her body thrusting forward as anticipation tingled between her legs.
His hand slid down to her stomach then stopped. He stared up at her, hunger lighting his eyes. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
Her hips bucked up in a desperate attempt to meet his fingers, the need for release of the unrelenting pressure enough to driveher mad. She shoved her hand into his shaggy hair, gripping the long strands. “Hmm-mm.”
He kept his focus on her face as he slipped his fingers inside her.
Her breath caught in her throat, moisture clinging to her thighs as he moved his fingers in and out, his thumb gently swiping over her most sensitive spot.
“You’re so damn beautiful, Eve,” he said, his warm breath skimming over her skin. “Come on, baby. Just let yourself go.”
She closed her eyes, listening to his voice and fisting the sheets in her hands as her body moved closer and closer to ultimate pleasure. Stars exploded and she screamed out his name, sweet release finally coming, replaced by a stronger, urgent need for more.
The feel of Reid’s mouth on hers made her purr. She opened her eyes to find him hovering over her. Sweat dotted his hairline and tenderness filled his wide brown eyes. “You’re amazing, Eve. Every single part of you.”
She grinned, not even close to being done with their fun. “You’ve seen every part of me. I think it’s time to even the score.”
His grin matched hers, and he pushed up to sit on his knees as he straddled her. He yanked his hoodie and T-shirt over his head, making his already tousled hair messier.
The white bandage on his side caught her attention, and she frowned. Gingerly, she touched the area around the bandage. “Does it hurt?”
“Changing the bandage isn’t much fun, but it doesn’t hurt much now,” he said with a small, husky laugh.
“I was terrified when I heard you were in the hospital. Even before I admitted to myself—to anyone—how much you meant to me, I knew if something happened to you, I wouldn’t survive it.”
Reid swiped the pad of his thumb across her cheek, leaving it to linger as he stared deep into her eyes. “I’m fine. Just a little bruise. I’m not going anywhere.”
The implied promise lingered between them and misted Eve’s eyes. She didn’t expect a lifelong commitment or an expression of love. But he’d given her exactly what she needed—hope that they might figure out a future together.
“Neither am I,” she said, the words catching on the emotion lodged in her throat.
